Father shoots self in leg in Downtown Disney parking lot

[Microcell]

I wish I had my gun when getting ice cream at Friendly's near DTD last summer. We were followed out to our car by someone in the parking lot, and thank God we weren't parked further back, because this guy obviously had ill intent on his mind. I set off the car alarm and THREW the kids in the car, hitting the lock button as I did this. The guy grabbed my door as I was slamming it. Sickos feed on people like that out for a fun evening, and never expecting to be confronted.

Same for me right here in my home town...

We were driving a U-Haul back to the dealer and we were at a red light with my DH in the U-Haul in front of me. A homeless man came up from under the viaduct we were next to and stopped and looked at me, starting to primp his unkempt hair. MY DH saw it out his rearview window and got his hand on the door to get out to "save" me. Being from Detriot, I locked the doors, and DH yelled at the guy to get away from my car. He went around back of it, and then stopped again (out of DH's sight I am sure) and then as the light turned green I almost slammed into the back of the Uhaul hightailing it and he reached for the door, grabbed it and couldn't get it open.

Would have been much easier if I could have pointed a gun at him I think... My DS was in the back seat, and DD was with DH, and in tears worried about me. They both remember that and are still fearful about stopping like that. He probably just moved on to the next person, but a gun in his face might have made him less likely...


About the original purpose of the post, as a gunowner I would assume that he was clearing his weapon in an effort to get it put away safely before going in to the movie. Does it say different somewhere or are we just assuming he was going to carry it in. Even if he was, it sounds like he was preparing it so he couldn't accidently shoot someone.

 

[kafitty]

who cleans their gun in a parking lot....aren't there better places to do that???


and omgosh, all of these other stories are so scary!! sometimes i hate being a girl.

 

[janiebegood]

When we lived in Orlando in the late '90s, there was a popular bumper sticker that read, "ARMED NATIVE."

And the highway patrol at one point estimated that half the cars on the road in Florida had a gun in the glove compartment.

 

[troobabiee7]

About the original purpose of the post, as a gunowner I would assume that he was clearing his weapon in an effort to get it put away safely before going in to the movie. Does it say different somewhere or are we just assuming he was going to carry it in. Even if he was, it sounds like he was preparing it so he couldn't accidently shoot someone.

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to clean the gun at home or somewhere other than a crowded, family-friendly resort area? Cause in the process of trying not to shoot someone he accidentally shot someone. I'd hope common sense would be a requirement for carrying a gun but unfortunately they seem to hand them out to anyone down there

 

[larryz]

Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to clean the gun at home or somewhere other than a crowded, family-friendly resort area? ...unfortunately they seem to hand them out to anyone down there

Nope, we have to buy them...

But don't misread "cleaning" for "clearing," the act of removing ammunition from the weapon so it can be safely handled or stored. He was taking the bullets out, not running a swab thru the barrel...

 

[troobabiee7]

Nope, we have to buy them...

But don't misread "cleaning" for "clearing," the act of removing ammunition from the weapon so it can be safely handled or stored. He was taking the bullets out, not running a swab thru the barrel...

Oh sorry, I could have sworn it said cleaning instead of clearing That makes a little more sense now but it still should have been done somewhere a little more secluded. Oy. At least no one was seriously hurt!

 

[madcoco]

I wish I had my gun when getting ice cream at Friendly's near DTD last summer.

This is OT. Where is the Friendly's near DTD?

Don't know the whole story. From the local news He had a permit, Had his son step away from the car and was taking out the magazine. Sounds like he was doing everything right up until something went wrong. Was he a police/security officer Was he going to leave the gun in the car or was he going to take it with him unloaded into the movie? That could be a problem. Have never owned a gun here and not going to pass judgement on someone who has a permit to do so regardless of my beliefs. Don't know the whole story. Accidents happen Bad judgement happens. There was an armed airline pilot apparently fired for accidentally discharging his weapon while clearing it for stowage. Not because it accidentally discharged in flight but because of poor judgement in choosing to do so in a critical phase of flight below 10,000 ft . Thankful no innocent bystanders were hurt.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) He was aiming to get into Haunted Mansion with paying an admission charge.
2) But, he missed.

 

[Feralpeg]

I find this thread really scary. Hopefully Disney's plans for PI will change the feeling of DTD.

I would like to see the parking lot more secure, maybe even paying to park or as part of our park tickets, its just too open at the moment.

A x.

This really had nothing to do with PI or any issues there. From what I heard on the local news, it was a person from the area planning on attending a movie with his son. Nothing about any bad type of person. I am at DTD all the time. I never feel unsafe there. I think it is just a sign of the times. The more people who carry guns, the more accidents will happen. I'm not going to debate the right to carry. I don't agree with it, but it is the law and many, many people in Orlando carry guns. It's like a status thing here.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Seriously, a semi-automatic hand gun to take your child to a movie???? What is wrong with this picture?

I hear you....this is Disney so what was the purpose of the semi automatic...who carries one around with them...

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Don't know the whole story. From the local news He had a permit, Had his son step away from the car and was taking out the magazine. Sounds like he was doing everything right up until something went wrong.

This is how I feel to. It was obvious an accident. I'm a strong supporter of strict gun control laws. (I'm from Canada, eh!) But I don't think this person was breaking any laws. I don't find this news item all the newsworthy and don't think there's a lot to discuss here. The man didn't appear to do anything illegal.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

Anyone think he may be an off duty police officer? They simply did not print that or he may not have volunteered that as this would have been very embarrassing.

I dont think an off duty cop would be carrying a gun in his waist band....IMO

 

[guelde96]

I agree, it does not sound like this guy did anything against the law. From what I hear about crime in Orlando it can be a scary place. I have only visited DTD once. I was very uncomfortable when waiting for the bus back to our resort. Not at all like the rest of Disney. Not sure I would visit DTD again at night.

 

[bytheblood]

Yeesh! At least he only hurt himself.

And I don't suppose you could have left your gun at home?!? Thank God he didn't shoot someone else!

Seriously, a semi-automatic hand gun to take your child to a movie???? What is wrong with this picture?

Apparantly there is more to this than meets the eye.....

Half the people in the Orlando area carry guns. It is just nuts! I think we will see a lot more of this in the future. Unfortunately, some of it will have a much sadder outcome.

I am just glad he shot himself and not some innocent person walking by in the parking lot.

I don't want to turn this into an anti/pro NRA issue so all I'll say is that was it really necessary for him to bring a gun to Downtown Disney? And thank God he only hurt himself

 

[disnut8]

Actually, if you really think about it, the guy was doing exactly what he was supposed to. Maybe even more by attempting to clear the gun.

I do wonder how much attention this would have gained if it happened in a Wal Mart parking lot. See "Walt Disney World" in the headline, read the article.

 

[troobabiee7]

Actually, if you really think about it, the guy was doing exactly what he was supposed to. Maybe even more by attempting to clear the gun.

I do wonder how much attention this would have gained if it happened in a Wal Mart parking lot. See "Walt Disney World" in the headline, read the article.

A man accidentally shooting himself in any public place is a scary thing. Again, he may have been doing the "right" thing, but it obviously wasn't the safe thing. Again, thank God no one was seriously hurt.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Well hold on to your hats.. You heard from my rumor mill first.. (and hopefully accurately..)

If it turns out true, as I'm hearing, that this guy was Disney employee.. that right there would mean would mean he could lose his job for bringing a gun on Disney property.

In any event, I'm gonig to move this one to the Rumors & News Board where it's a best fit.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[tileman]

I agree, it does not sound like this guy did anything against the law. From what I hear about crime in Orlando it can be a scary place. I have only visited DTD once. I was very uncomfortable when waiting for the bus back to our resort. Not at all like the rest of Disney. Not sure I would visit DTD again at night.

Try the Parramore part of orlando wow We have done jobs over there I myself will not go to my work van without my helper


But there bad parts of places all over this world.

Ron.

 

[Jessfrogger88]

This kind of thing can unfortunatly happen anywhere so I don't really think it provides a link between DTD, PI, DISNEY WORLD and crime... it wasn't even a crime really and your next door neighbor could end up doing the same thing in his drive way.... I have been to DTD at least 100 time and never felt unsafe....granted im a college age male, but considering the high level of families there on a daily basis and the very limited amount of problems ... at least i have heard...it's not an unsafe place.

 

[G8RFAN]

........If it turns out true, as I'm hearing, that this guy was Disney employee...........

That would be a very interesting turn of events and the timing of it ironic. He broke two major rules of firearm safety, of pointing the gun in a safe direction and keeping your finger out of the trigger guard. BTW, in the waistband holsters are the most common concealed carry for those who think something is suspiciously wrong with him carrying a gun in his waistband.